Project heavy-lift carrier AAL Shipping is strengthening its presence in India with the recent deployment of the 31,000-dwt AAL Kembla to transport project cargo from the country to the Americas.
The A-Class vessel docked at Adani Hazira Port in late September on AAL’s monthly scheduled ‘Europe – Middle East/India – Asia Monthly Liner Service’. It was tasked with loading two shipments bound for New Orleans, USA, and Salina Cruz, Mexico, respectively, to connect with AAL Kembla’s next voyage on the ‘Asia – Americas Trade Route’, the company said.
“We have distinct services that offer monthly connections from Europe to India, and India to the US Gulf, connecting with major trade hubs around the world to provide extensive coverage for the region. The success of these India fixtures underscores AAL’s robust capabilities in handling complex project cargo and highlights the strategic importance of India as a hub in our global service network,” Karim Smaili, General Manager Middle East at AAL Shipping, said.
The cargoes were booked in coordination with AAL’s local agent in India, Merchant Shipping Services, and comprised 29 packages in total. For Salina Cruz, the 1,636 cubic-metre shipment included power plant equipment manufactured in Hazira, with individual unit weights of 200 tonnes. The second shipment, bound for New Orleans, involved oversized Air Furnace Lower Shells, totalling 2,010 cubic metres and with individual weights tipping the scales at 75 tonnes.
AAL Kembla’s 700-tonne capacity cranes efficiently lifted and stowed cargo in both holds and on deck, with expert planning ensuring safe and timely loading.
“As the available time at the berth at Adani Hazira port was strictly constrained, we needed to complete the loading operations efficiently and safely. We worked from 6am to ensure we had sufficient daylight hours to load the heavy packages, working until midnight to ensure all cargoes were stowed and secured ready for departure. This required excellent planning from all stakeholders to ensure the operations were completed without delay,” added Smaili.